2026 Makara Sankranti
2027 Makara Sankranti
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan | Thu | Makara Sankranti | Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Karnataka, Sikkim & Telangana |
2028 Makara Sankranti
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan | Sat | Makara Sankranti | Arunachal Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Sikkim & Telangana |
Makara Sankranti is a major Hindu harvest festival celebrated primarily on 14 or 15 January when the Sun transits into Capricorn (Makara rashi), marking the end of winter and beginning of longer days.
Known regionally as Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Lohri (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), and Maghi (Haryana), it celebrates agricultural abundance with kite flying, bonfires, ritual bathing, and traditional sweets made from jaggery and sesame seeds.
Makara Sankranti overview
- Makara Sankranti marks the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana), considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition for spiritual practices and harvest thanksgiving.
- Observed as a public holiday in several Indian states including Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, and Sikkim where government offices and schools remain closed.
- The festival features kite flying competitions, community feasts with tilgul (sesame-jaggery sweets), and holy dips in sacred rivers for spiritual purification.
History and significance
- Astronomically significant as the Sun enters Capricorn from Sagittarius, marking Dakshinayana to Uttarayana transition revered in Vedic texts including the Gayatri Mantra.
- Symbolizes victory of good over evil through mythology where Lord Vishnu defeats demon Sankarasura, celebrated with ritual baths for purification of sins.
- Agricultural harvest festival thanking Sun God Surya for bountiful crops, with regional variations reflecting India's diverse cultural harvest traditions.
Traditions and observance
- Devotees take holy dips in sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari) at sunrise while chanting Gayatri Mantra and offering Arghya (water) to Surya.
- Elaborate kite flying competitions where colorful patang fill the skies, symbolizing freedom and joy, especially famous in Gujarat's International Kite Festival.
- Feasting on regional delicacies like tilgul laddoos, pongal dish, khichdi, and sarson da saag-makki di roti, with sesame-jaggery sweets exchanged saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola".
Key facts about Makara Sankranti
- Makara Sankranti date: Usually 14 January (varies 14-15 Jan by solar calculation).
- Regional names: Pongal, Lohri, Bihu, Maghi, Uttarayan, Suggi, Ghughuti.
- Significance: Sun's transit to Capricorn, harvest thanksgiving, spiritual purification.
Makara Sankranti FAQs
What is Makara Sankranti?
Makara Sankranti marks the Sun's transit from Sagittarius to Capricorn, celebrated as harvest festival across India with kite flying and traditional sweets.
Why is Makara Sankranti celebrated?
The festival celebrates agricultural harvest, Sun God's northward journey (Uttarayana), and victory of good over evil through ritual purification and thanksgiving.
When is Makara Sankranti 2026?
Makara Sankranti 2026 falls on 14 January (Wednesday) and is a public holiday in Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Sikkim, and Telangana.
What are Makara Sankranti traditions?
Traditions include holy river dips at sunrise, kite flying competitions, bonfires, sesame-jaggery sweets, and harvest feasts across different regions.
Is Makara Sankranti a public holiday?
Yes, Makara Sankranti is a public holiday in Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Sikkim, and other regions where government offices remain closed.
What is Pongal and how does it relate?
Pongal is Tamil Nadu's four-day Makara Sankranti celebration featuring the Pongal dish (rice and lentil cooked in milk), cattle worship, and kolam decorations.
Why kite flying on Makara Sankranti?
Kite flying symbolizes joy, freedom, and connection with the sky during Uttarayana; Gujarat hosts the world's largest International Kite Festival annually.
What sweets are made for Makara Sankranti?
Sesame-jaggery laddoos (tilgul), payasam/pongal, chikkis, and regional harvest sweets symbolize warmth, prosperity, and the sun's life-giving energy.